Press Releases

SUN shines on Whitehall

Ref: 23/03

SUN SHINES ON WHITEHALL

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) today announced it is to extend its potential use of Open Source Software (OSS) within government by unveiling a major innovative deal with Sun Microsystems for the supply of its Enterprise and Desktop systems.

The ability of OSS to effectively run the Desktop computers used by the Government's 500,000 Civil Servants and employees in the wider public sector is seen as essential if OSS is to be accepted as a more cost-effective alternative to proprietary software solutions.

Peter Gershon, Chief Executive of OGC, who met with CEO of Sun Microsystems, Scott McNealy, on Friday to conclude the negotiations commented:

"I welcome these trials of OSS Desktop solutions by Sun Microsystems, which if successful, could significantly extend the choice of IT systems in the government marketplace. The public sector is alive to the possibilities inherent in this innovative approach, which would enable us to free up resources for delivery."

The arrangement provides competitive pricing for the whole public sector and increases choice across the entire range of both Desktop and Server IT systems. It also offers a means of enabling alternatives such as 'thin client' computing and has the potential to extend the life of existing PCs with a consequent direct impact on capital expenditure.

Open Source Software (OSS) is where the source code (the language in which the program is written) is freely distributed with the right to modify the code, and on the condition that redistribution is not restricted, and indeed is obtainable for no more than the reasonable cost of reproduction.

As part of the deal, Sun Microsystems will undertake a series of trials of its OSS based Desktop system with various public sector bodies in the New Year, These trials will build upon the recent similar OGC initiative with IBM, with both aimed at opening up the government IT marketplace to wider competition and offering significant potential value-for-money and other benefits.

There are also potential environmental benefits as less frequent replacement of computers will reduce landfill and decrease consumption of resources used in the production of resource intensive PCs.

Mark Woods, who led the negotiations for OGC added:

"We should not underestimate the impact on the environment of frequently replacing IT equipment, which together with the potential direct cost benefits makes for a compelling case."

Indications are that very significant efficiency gains and cash savings are possible, which OGC and SUN will investigate over the coming months.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an office of HM Treasury, which works with central civil Government as a catalyst to achieve best value for money in commercial activities.OGC aims to provide guidance and expertise to support successful delivery of procurement-based projects and other commercial activities; develop the Government market to make it more efficient and attractive to suppliers and customers; and develop a clear and supportive framework for best-in-class procurement activity, while making a leading contribution to Government modernisation.

Press enquiries to Martin Day at the Office of Government Commerce